In a rare instance where horsepower meets hope, Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF) is accelerating the fight against cancer with its pioneering initiative — ‘Hyundai Hope for Cancer’, launched in collaboration with IIT Madras. On the occasion of National Cancer Awareness Day, HMIF proudly announced a record of 1,104 cancer tissue samples collected and over 11,000 screenings conducted, proving that the road to progress sometimes leads straight to the laboratory.
This initiative is backed by a social impact investment of ₹56 crore, because when Hyundai commits, it doesn’t just launch cars—it launches causes. The project’s centerpiece, the Hyundai Centre for Cancer Genomics at IIT Madras, now houses India’s first community-based Cancer Tissue Biobank and the country’s first open-access cancer genome database, the Bharat Cancer Genome Atlas (BCGA). Consider it the “Creta of Cancer Data”—stylish, powerful, and engineered for precision.
🧬 Tech Meets Treatment
HMIF’s alliance with IIT Madras isn’t just about science—it’s about science with soul. The BCGA aims to revolutionize personalized oncology, using genomics to design India-specific cancer solutions. So far, 528 pediatric leukaemia genomes have been fully sequenced—each one representing a story of resilience, discovery, and Hyundai’s human touch.
❤️ Community at the Core
In just a few months, 109 cancer awareness and screening camps have been held across Tamil Nadu, touching over 11,000 lives. Screenings covered oral, cervical, colon, breast, and prostate cancers—essentially the full pit stop for preventive care. Of these, 448 individuals tested positive and were referred for advanced treatment, proving that early detection really does keep the engine running smoother.
To protect future generations, 525 girls have already been vaccinated against HPV through collaborations with Karkinos Healthcare and the Cancer Research and Relief Trust (CRRT).
🔧 Future Gears Engaged
Hyundai’s vision doesn’t idle—it accelerates. Coming soon:
- Free cancer treatment for underprivileged children in tie-up with top hospitals nationwide
- Technician training programs to upskill over 100 lab professionals in genomic sequencing
- Mobile cancer screening vehicles, already rolling through 17 districts in Tamil Nadu, soon heading to Maharashtra and Haryana
Over the next four years, the initiative will conduct 225+ awareness and screening camps, reaching 1.27 lakh people and vaccinating 5,000+ girls.
Puneet Anand, AVP & Vertical Head – Corporate Affairs, HMIL, summed it up perfectly:
“Hyundai Hope for Cancer reflects our belief that technology, compassion, and collaboration can drive transformative change. With every test, every camp, every life touched—we’re not just moving cars, we’re moving hope.”
With engines of empathy and research running at full throttle, Hyundai isn’t just driving into the future—it’s driving for the future. Because sometimes, the most powerful thing an engine can do… is power a revolution in healthcare.
